According to reports, the ministers involved in the discussions found out about this later, and some of them even confronted the government to express their anger.

Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the current Israeli government, in Tel Aviv, January 13, 2024
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unilaterally delayed and backtracked on agreed-upon outlines for the release of hostages without consulting the cabinet, according to Israeli media sources on Wednesday.

In recent days, the political leadership in Israel discussed potential conditions for a new and proactive negotiation that could eventually lead to a hostage deal. The negotiations were expected to be pushed forward by a mediator.

However, Netanyahu delayed the talks and increased the demands that had been agreed upon, according to reports.

Discussions over the conditions were held with political echelon leaders, namely Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. These discussions eventually brought about agreed-upon conditions that would guide the advancement of negotiations, which would later lead to a deal with Hamas when the political leadership had already reached conclusions about what Israel could give as part of that deal.

Without any warning

However, a few days after the conclusion of discussions in the war cabinet, and after the conditions that would guide Israel in the current course of action were agreed upon, Netanyahu delayed the outline and increased the demands without coordinating with the ministers of the war cabinet.

According to reports, the ministers involved in the discussions found out about this later, and some of them even confronted the prime minister to express their anger.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and MKo Benny Gantz, holds a news conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday night. (credit: Abir Sultan/Reuters)

Yair Lapid weighs in on the situation

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid commented on these developments, stating, “The reports about the defense minister’s separation from security decisions that affect the continuation of the fighting and the lives of the hostages are further evidence that Israel has an incompetent prime minister with an incompetent government. Israel needs a change now.”

As reported by The Jerusalem Post